Chapter 262: A Decade-long Dream, Draco's Arrival

The story of Middle-earth has come to an end.

In the Sanctuary Valley, Ino opened a suitcase and meticulously sorted through its contents, taking out items he didn't immediately need.

This journey had given him a feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

Over the span of ten years, he had grown from a fifteen-year-old boy into a twenty-five-year-old young man within the story.

But now, looking back at the events, it all felt like a dream.

The ten years had blurred his memory of many things. Once again, he observed his surroundings: the honest ice giant, the vibrant valley garden, and the three thriving magic trees...

It was as if a previously blurred memory had been loaded back into a game, becoming clear again.

"This also has an anchor point effect..."

Ino chuckled as he looked around, and then his entire figure disappeared.

After he vanished, the giant resumed its work, tirelessly plowing the fields with a rake.

This time, however, the goblins following behind it weren't scattering seeds as they usually did. Instead, five goblins were collectively dragging a linen-wrapped bag. Following the giant, they buried the stones from the bag one by one into the soil.

After all, giants and goblins weren't the most intelligent of creatures, and even more so since they were transformed beings.

Small stones being mistaken for seeds was quite normal.

...

Hogsmeade.

A summer afternoon, tinged with a sense of melancholy and leisure.

It had been three days since Ino returned to the magical world, and during this time, he hadn't left his cottage.

The effect was evident too; within three days, he had reacquainted himself with the rhythm of life in the magical world.

Every day, he would wake up and read some books, cook himself delicious meals, and in the afternoons, he would enter the Sanctuary Valley, lie down on the flower-filled ground, and enjoy the peaceful time alone.

Today.

Upon exiting the valley once again, Ino glanced at the sky.

Black clouds in the southwest, mingled with moist air, were slowly drifting in this direction.

England, seemingly a country blessed with rain, always had unpredictable weather.

Even though it was a clear sky when he left in the morning, it now looked like it was about to pour.

"Boom!"

With a rumble of thunder, a summer downpour suddenly hit Hogsmeade.

The innocent raindrops, carried by the wind, pelted against the windows, creating a rhythmic sound that had a strangely soothing effect.

On the second floor of the cottage.

Ino leaned against the bed, closing his eyes and enjoying the serene moment alone.

The pattering of the rain seemed to have a special effect. Listening to the rain outside, he felt a long-lost sense of tranquility.

"This is life..."

Ino sighed softly, moving towards the bed.

Moments later, the sound of steady breathing gradually filled the room.

...

It was unclear how much time had passed.

With a rhythmic tapping sound, Ino slowly opened his eyes.

"Tap tap tap!"

Outside the window, a rain-soaked owl was persistently pecking at the window.

With a wave of his wand, he opened the window, allowing the poor little creature to come inside.

"Draco?" Seeing the wet owl, Ino immediately recognized it as Draco's messenger.

This piqued his curiosity. Although ten years had passed in the story, in the magical world, Hogwarts had only been on summer break for a few days. What urgent matter would make Draco send an owl in the rain?

"Scourgify!"

After cleaning the rainwater off the owl, Ino took the letter.

A few minutes later, after reading the letter, he sighed and walked downstairs.

...

In the living room.

After connecting to the Floo Network to request contact with Malfoy Manor, a burst of green flames erupted in the fireplace.

Dragging a suitcase, Draco stepped out of the fireplace.

"So, you're running away from home!" Ino teased from the sofa.

"Something like that," Draco replied in a low voice, then plopped down on the sofa.

"Tell me, what happened? You were quite vague in your letter."

Seeing his roommate's distressed look, Ino's curiosity grew. In the magical world of England, the Malfoy family was known for pampering their son.

"It's just that I'm not feeling well, and I don't want to stay there anymore!"

Faced with the inquiry, Draco kept his head down, still looking distressed.

"Then stay here for now." Seeing that Draco didn't want to talk, Ino didn't press further.

Ino left it at that, but Draco looked up, conflicted. "Aren't you going to ask me why? Just letting it go like that?"

Ino turned his head, stifling a laugh. "Alright, then tell me why you ran away from home."

"They're forcing me to attend banquets and get close to people I don't like, and..."

This time, Draco didn't hold back and recounted everything that had happened during the summer break.

Ironically, despite Draco being only fifteen, he was being forced to attend various banquets and socialize with pure-blood ladies.

"I don't get it! Since when does my wife have to be a business partner!"

Draco's voice was filled with confusion and frustration.

"Then just refuse them! If they don't listen, tell Uncle Lucius it's my suggestion."

Ino offered the most direct solution, addressing the root of the problem.

In this matter, he was on Draco's side. Whether it was marriage or love, the most important thing was feeling, not so-called assistance.

Lucius's medieval theories would only matter to someone overly concerned with face. Ino almost wanted to write to Lucius himself, pointing out how outdated arranged marriages were.

If they really wanted to find someone beneficial in career or magic, they should follow Dumbledore's example—a blood pact was a good choice.

At the same time, upon hearing such straightforward support, Draco seemed to come alive.

Others might not understand, but Draco was very aware of Ino's influence on the Malfoy family.

To put it bluntly, even if his grandfather were to come back and oppose Ino, it probably wouldn't work.

"Ino, thank you!" Draco's thanks were sincere.

"Alright! So you ran away from home over this." Ino waved his hand lightly.

"Stay here for a few days and then go back! As for your choices, I'd say follow your heart. If you like someone, even if they are a...half-blood Hufflepuff, it doesn't matter."

At the last moment, Ino changed his wording to be more diplomatic, but Draco understood his point.

It was okay if they had a poor background or were a bit foolish, as long as you liked them.